Pak NA constitutes sub-committee to probe Blackwater operations

Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 15:07 [IST]

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Islamabad, Sep.30 (ANI): Pakistan National Assembly's Standing Committee on Human Rights has constituted a five-member sub-committee to investigate the alleged operations of private US security firm Blackwater in the country.

The committee, which is headed by Riaz Fatyana, would also probe the reports regarding the renting of a large number of houses by US citizens in Islamabad.

The committee, which met at the Parliament House, also recommended that the government should constitute a special anti-terror force to fight militancy and terrorism, since the country's army and police were not trained for counter terror operations, The Daily Times reported.

When asked about the reports regarding US citizens hiring numerous flats in Islamabad, Inspector General of Police (IG) Kaleem Imam admitted there are 400 to 500 US embassy staff present in Islamabad currently, but denied the presence of Blackwater in the country.

The United States has already made it clear that it is in contact with several US security agencies regarding providing security cover to its various establishments in Pakistan, but has never admitted openly that it has hired the services of Blackwater.

It also been learnt that Blackwater has acquired hundreds of acres of land near Pataro in Sindh in order to launch a supposed griculture Research Institute. (ANI)